IP Library Granted Patent US 8,622,557
Granted Patent B2
US 8,622,557 · App. 12/124,111 · Granted Jan 7, 2014

Micromirror array lens with self-tilted micromirrors

Inventors: Gyoung Il Cho (Seoul, KR); Jin Young Sohn (Fullerton, CA); Hye Young Kim (Jeonbuk, KR); Cheong Soo Seo (Seongnam, KR)
Assignees: Stereo Display, Inc.; Angstrom Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,622,557
App. No.
12/124,111
Granted
Jan 7, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A Micromirror Array Lens with self-tilted micromirrors comprising a plurality of self-tilted micromirrors and configured to form a designed optical surface profile by self-tilted micromirrors. Each self-tilted micromirror comprises a substrate, at least one stiction plate configured to be attracted to the substrate by adhesion force, a micromirror plate having a reflective surface, coupled to the stiction plate elastically and configured to have a required motion when the stiction plate is attracted to the substrate, and at least one pivot structure disposed between the substrate and the micromirror plate and configured to provide a tilting point or area for the motion of the micromirror plate. The designed optical surface profile determines the required motion of the micromirror plate and a surface profile shape memory is built in the structure of the micro-mechanical elements of the self-tilted micromirrors so that each micromirror plate has the required motion.

Claims (30)

1. A Micromirror Array Lens with self-tilted micromirrors comprising a plurality of self-tilted micromirrors and configured to form a designed optical surface profile by self-tilted micromirrors to function as a lens, wherein each self-tilted micromirror comprises

a) a substrate;

b) at least one stiction plate configured to be attracted to the substrate by adhesion force;

c) a micromirror plate having a reflective surface, coupled to the stiction plate elastically and configured to have a required motion when the stiction plate is attracted to the substrate; and

d) at least one pivot structure disposed between the substrate and the micromirror plate and configured to provide a tilting point or area for the motion of the micromirror plate;

wherein the designed optical surface profile determines the required motion of the micromirror plate and a surface profile shape memory is built in the self-tilted micromirrors so that each micromirror plate has the required motion.

2. The Micromirror Array Lens with self-tilted micromirrors of claim 1 wherein the required motion of the micromirror plate determines a size of the micromirror plate.

3. The Micromirror Array Lens with self-tilted micromirrors of claim 1 , wherein the required motion of the micromirror plate determines a size or a position or both a size and a position of the pivot structure.

4. The Micromirror Array Lens with self-tilted micromirrors of claim 1 , wherein the Micromirror Array Lens with the designed optical surface profile have an optical focusing power.

5. The Micromirror Array Lens with self-tilted micromirrors of the claim 1 , wherein the micromirror plate is coupled to the stiction plate elastically by at least one micromirror plate spring structure.

6. The Micromirror Array Lens with self-tilted micromirrors of the claim 5 , wherein the self-tilted micromirror further comprises at least one micromirror plate post configured to provide a space between the micromirror plate and the stiction plate and connecting the micromirror plate and the micromirror plate spring structure.

7. The Micromirror Array Lens with self-tilted micromirrors of the claim 1 , wherein the self-tilted micromirror further comprises at least one support structure disposed on the substrate and connected to the stiction plate elastically.

8. The Micromirror Array Lens with self-tilted micromirrors of the claim 7 , wherein the self-tilted micromirror further comprises at least one substrate spring structure connecting the stiction plate and the support structure.

9. The Micromirror Array Lens with self-tilted micromirrors of the claim 7 , wherein the pivot structure is disposed on the micromirror plate and configured to contact the support structure when the stiction plate is attracted to the substrate.

10. The Micromirror Array Lens with self-tilted micromirrors of the claim 7 , wherein the support structure is the pivot structure configured to contact the micromirror plate when the stiction plate is attracted to the substrate.

11. The Micromirror Array Lens with self-tilted micromirrors of the claim 1 , wherein the pivot structure is disposed on the substrate and configured to contact the micromirror plate when the stiction plate is attracted to the substrate.

12. The Micromirror Array Lens with self-tilted micromirrors of the claim 1 , wherein the pivot structure is disposed on the micromirror plate and configured to contact the substrate when the stiction plate is attracted to the substrate.

13. The Micromirror Array Lens with self-tilted micromirrors of the claim 1 , wherein the adhesion force is caused by capillary action of a liquid used in a releasing process of micro-mechanical elements of the Micromirror Array Lens.

14. The Micromirror Array Lens with self-tilted micromirrors of the claim 1 , wherein the adhesion force is adhesion surface force.

15. The Micromirror Array Lens with self-tilted micromirrors of the claim 1 , wherein the adhesion force is der Waals force.

16. The Micromirror Array Lens with self-tilted micromirrors of the claim 1 , wherein the adhesion force is caused by atomic bonding.

17. The Micromirror Array Lens with self-tilted micromirrors of the claim 1 , wherein the adhesion force is electrostatic force by residual charge.

18. The Micromirror Array Lens with self-tilted micromirrors of the claim 1 , wherein the stiction plate is attracted to the substrate in the releasing process of the micro-mechanical elements of the Micromirror Array Lens.

19. The Micromirror Array Lens with self-tilted micromirrors of the claim 1 , wherein the stiction plate is attracted to the substrate in an initial operation of the Micromirror Array Lens.

20. The Micromirror Array Lens with self-tilted micromirrors of the claim 1 , wherein the linear and angular position of the micromirror plate remains fixed by the adhesion force after the motion of the micromirror plate.

21. The Micromirror Array Lens with self-tilted micromirrors of the claim 1 , wherein the self-tilted micromirror further comprises at least one dimple disposed between the micromirror plate and the substrate and configured to provide a space between the micromirror plate and the stiction plate.

22. The Micromirror Array Lens with self-tilted micromirrors of claim 1 , wherein the designed optical surface profile is prepared to satisfy a convergence condition to form the lens.

23. The Micromirror Array Lens with self-tilted micromirrors of claim 1 , wherein the designed optical surface profile is prepared to satisfy a phase matching condition to form the lens.

24. The Micromirror Array Lens with self-tilted micromirrors of claim 1 , wherein the designed optical surface profile is prepared to correct an aberration of an optical system.

25. The Micromirror Array Lens with self-tilted micromirrors of claim 1 , wherein the Micromirror Array Lens is a diffractive optical element.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE ASSIGNEE NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 054680 FRAME: 0198. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Jul 13, 2021
From: ANGSTROM, INC.
To: STEREO DISPLAY, INC.
Reel/Frame 056846/0253 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 10, 2020
From: ANGSTROM, INC.
To: INC., STEREO D, INC.
Reel/Frame 054680/0198 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 20, 2008
From: CHO, GYOUNG IL; SOHN, JIN YOUNG; KIM, HYE YOUNG; SEO, CHEONG SOO
To: STEREO DISPLAY, INC.; ANGSTROM, INC.
Reel/Frame 020974/0539 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20090290244A1 · Nov 26, 2009